How Much Is a Heat Pump? Complete Guide to Heat Pump Prices, AC Unit Cost, and What You'll Pay in 2026
October 5, 2026
A heat pump costs about $5,400 to $8,500 installed for a single-zone ductless system and about $17,000 to $23,000 for a whole-home system in a 1,500 to 2,500 square foot house, per nonprofit Rewiring America's national data. Filterbuy, an air filter manufacturer that also sells mini split heat pumps, knows the equipment is the smaller number. Installation labor and site work make up most of the gap.
TL;DR
Most heat pump projects cost between about $5,400 for one room and $30,000 for a large whole-home system. Home size and the condition of your ducts and wiring move the price more than the brand on the box. The federal heat pump tax credit ended for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025, so 2026 savings come from state rebates and utility programs.
Key Takeaways
A single-zone ductless heat pump costs about $5,400 to $8,500 installed, with a national median near $6,600.
A whole-home heat pump for a 1,500 to 2,500 square foot house costs about $17,000 to $23,000 installed, with a median near $19,500.
A heat pump costs more than an air conditioner alone, but it also replaces the furnace.
The Section 25C federal tax credit does not apply to heat pumps placed in service after December 31, 2025.
Filterbuy ductless mini split heat pumps cost $749 to $1,349 for the equipment and require a licensed installer.
How Much Does a Heat Pump Cost in 2026?
A heat pump costs about $5,400 to $8,500 installed for one zone and $17,000 to $30,000 installed for a whole home, depending on square footage (2024 benchmark data). Rewiring America's upfront cost benchmark built these ranges from roughly 42,000 heat pump projects in Massachusetts and California program data, then adjusted them for inflation and local labor costs to reflect national averages.
The ranges cover the middle 60 percent of projects, so the median is the better planning number.
Heat Pump Prices By Project Type
Installed ranges are Rewiring America's modeled national costs, 20th to 80th percentile, data as of March 2024. Filterbuy equipment prices verified on filterbuy.com on October 5, 2026.
Why Do Heat Pump Price Quotes Vary So Much?
When the Filterbuy team compared the top-ranking heat pump cost guides for this page in October 2026, the national averages they published ran from about $5,600 to $15,400 because each one measured a different mix of jobs. Individual California projects in Rewiring America's dataset ranged from about $2,000 to $70,000.
Lower figures usually describe a like-for-like swap where ducts and wiring already work. Homes that need new ducts or a panel upgrade land near the top, especially in cold climates or high-cost labor markets.
Heat Pump vs. AC Unit Cost: What's the Difference?
A heat pump is an air conditioner with a reversing valve, a part that lets the same system heat the house in winter and cool it in summer. Our guide to how a heat pump works covers the mechanics.
On its own, a heat pump costs more than central air. A 2023 University of Wisconsin–Madison analysis of heat pump costs, drawing on National Renewable Energy Laboratory data, put the median installed cost of a 3-ton heat pump at about $6,185 and central AC at about $4,684, in 2020 dollars. Add a furnace to the AC side and the gap becomes small, so the fair comparison is one heat pump against a new AC unit plus a new furnace.
Heat Pump Vs. AC Unit At A Glance
Federal minimums are DOE standards in effect since January 1, 2023, per the National Association of Home Builders. Median costs are in 2020 dollars, from Edwards et al. (2023) using NREL data.
Each step above the federal minimums in the National Association of Home Builders summary of the DOE standards adds equipment cost and lowers operating cost.
How Fast Can a Heat Pump Pay Back Its Premium?
Our quick math:
A heat pump's median price premium over central AC is about $1,500.
NREL puts median savings at $300 to $650 a year for homes heated by electricity, oil, or propane that already have AC.
That premium could pay back in roughly 2 to 5 years.
This is a rough guide because the figures come from different studies and years. Homes heated with natural gas often save less.
What Goes Into a Heat Pump Quote?
A single total hides where the money goes. Filterbuy built this line-item checklist, so ask each contractor to price these lines separately:
Equipment: the outdoor unit plus the indoor air handler, coil, or wall unit. Capacity and efficiency ratings set most of this price.
Load calculation: a Manual J sizing of the home's heating and cooling need. The Air Conditioning Contractors of America notes that national building codes and most state and local jurisdictions require one.
Labor: installing and starting up the system, priced by local rates and zone count.
Line set and refrigerant: copper lines between the units and the refrigerant charge, priced by run length and refrigerant type.
Electrical: a dedicated circuit and disconnect, plus any panel upgrade.
Ductwork: sealing, repair, resizing, or new ducts, depending on the existing system.
Permit and inspection: local fees set by your city or county.
Old equipment removal: hauling away the old system, including refrigerant recovery.
Question any 2026 quote that shows:
A federal tax credit subtracted from the price.
No Manual J, or a size copied from the old unit.
One lump-sum total.
No refrigerant named.
No AHRI-matched rating for the full system.
What Changed for Heat Pump Prices in 2026?
Three federal changes shape heat pump prices in 2026.
The tax credit is gone. The IRS confirms the Section 25C credit is not allowed for any property placed in service after December 31, 2025. A heat pump placed in service in 2026 earns no federal credit, even if the contract was signed in 2025. If a 2026 quote subtracts the old credit, ask for a corrected quote.
Rebates depend on your state. The U.S. Department of Energy Home Energy Rebates program funds state-run rebates of up to $14,000 per household for efficient electric upgrades, including heat pumps, for income-qualified households in states that have launched. Filterbuy tracks current status in our guide to heat pump rebates and tax incentives in 2026.
Refrigerant rules changed the equipment. New residential heat pump systems made since January 1, 2025 must use a refrigerant with a global warming potential below 700, such as R-454B or R-32. Under the current EPA technology transitions rules, systems whose components were all made before January 1, 2025 can still be installed with no federal deadline, though some states set stricter rules.
Where Does a Filterbuy Mini Split Fit in a Heat Pump Budget?
Filterbuy's ductless mini split heat pumps cost $749 for the 12,000 BTU model, $899 for 18,000 BTU, and $1,349 for 24,000 BTU, with fast and free 2-day delivery to most US states. Each carries a 7-year compressor warranty and a 3-year parts warranty. We publish those prices so your budget starts with a real equipment number.
The three sizes cover spaces up to about 550, 850, and 1,100 square feet. Professional installation is required and arranged separately, so budget for installation and electrical work too.
Ours are rated 17 SEER2, which clears the 14.3 SEER2 federal minimum for split heat pumps, and they are built for value. They are not the right pick if you want the best system available regardless of price, multi-zone coverage, a cold-climate model for long subfreezing winters, the quietest unit for a bedroom, or the highest efficiency available.
Browse Filterbuy ductless mini split systems or read our full mini split cost breakdown for installed pricing by zone count.
How Can You Lower What You Pay for a Heat Pump?
Size correctly and claim rebates before installation day.
Check rebates before you sign. Contact your state energy office and electric utility first, because many programs require approval or a reservation before the work starts.
Match the system to the need. A single-zone mini split for one hard-to-cool room costs a fraction of a whole-home conversion.
Plan for filter changes. Filterbuy makes air filters, so this is the cost we know best. A clogged filter restricts airflow across the coil and makes the system work harder. Use the size and MERV rating your system manual calls for, and set up air filter auto-delivery so a fresh filter arrives on schedule.
Filterbuy's Take: What We Would Tell a Friend Pricing a Heat Pump
Name the problem you are solving before you choose equipment. We sell single-zone mini splits, and we would still steer you away from one if the whole house needs new heating and cooling. Get a Manual J and itemized quotes. Then confirm the install date before you count on any incentive.
Michelle Wan, Filterbuy's Brand Manager and Air Quality Writer, checked every 2026 incentive claim in our rebate guide against the statute. Her advice:
"If you are holding a 2026 quote with a $2,000 credit written into it, the install date is the only number that matters."
Michelle Wan, Brand Manager and Air Quality Writer, Filterbuy
Supporting Statistics
62% to 95% of U.S. households would pay less for energy with a heat pump, depending on its efficiency.
Source: National Renewable Energy Laboratory study reported by the American Public Power Association.
47% of new single-family homes started in 2024 use a heat pump as the main heat source.
That is up from 23% in 2000.
In the South Atlantic region, the share is 82%.
Source: Census Survey of Construction data analyzed by NAHB economists.
HVAC technicians earned a median $61,010 in May 2025.
Employment is projected to grow 11% through 2035.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Is a Heat Pump for a 2,000 Square Foot House?
A whole-home heat pump for a 1,500 to 2,500 square foot house costs about $17,000 to $23,000 installed, with a median near $19,500.
Is a Heat Pump More Expensive Than an AC Unit?
Yes, on its own, by about $1,500 at the median for a 3-ton system in 2020 dollars. A heat pump also replaces the furnace, so when both systems need replacing, the gap largely closes.
Is There a Federal Tax Credit for Heat Pumps in 2026?
No. The Section 25C Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit ended for heat pumps placed in service after December 31, 2025. A system placed in service in 2025 can still be claimed on a 2025 federal return.
What About Geothermal Heat Pumps?
Geothermal, or ground-source, heat pumps need a buried ground loop, so they cost more up front and fall outside the ranges on this page. Plan on a site-specific quote.
Can I Install a Heat Pump Myself?
No. Connecting refrigerant lines and charging a system takes an EPA-certified technician, and Filterbuy mini splits require professional installation.
Pricing Disclaimer
Prices here are national ranges and a dated snapshot of Filterbuy equipment prices, not a quote or financial advice. Confirm quotes with licensed contractors and incentives with your state energy office and a tax professional.
Glossary
Heat pump: An electric system that moves heat into a home in winter and out of it in summer.
Ductless mini split: A heat pump with an outdoor unit and one or more indoor wall units, and no ductwork.
SEER2: The federal cooling efficiency rating. Higher uses less electricity.
HSPF2: The federal heat pump heating efficiency rating. Higher uses less electricity.
BTU: British thermal unit, a measure of heating or cooling capacity.
Manual J: The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) load calculation used to size equipment to a specific home.
AHRI rating: A certified efficiency rating from the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute for a matched indoor and outdoor unit.
Section 25C: The federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit, which ended for property placed in service after December 31, 2025.
Protect Your Heat Pump From Day One With Filterbuy
A heat pump is one of the biggest purchases in a home, and the air filter is the smallest part that keeps it running right. Filterbuy makes air filters in 600+ sizes, cut to order and shipped fast and free on the delivery schedule you choose.